We are the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
** Pre-registration preferred.
Joint with Hampstead Group.
A moderate 9.6 mile/15.5km walk with negligible ascent ‐ about 3.5 to 4 hours of walking - plus optional visit of the RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve. Sunset is at 16.11, so light for walking to 16.40 hours.
Route: residential streets to the Ingrebourne River, follow river SE, turning away onto raised farmland east of river with fine views to Dartford Bridge, Shooters Hill and London Skyline, Berwick Glades (ex landfill); back into the Ingrebourne Valley (open water, grassland, secondary and ancient woodland, marshland, fenland), passing remnants of RAF airfield infrastructure, onto low but fantastic viewpoint; into Rainham for a short refreshment stop, then follow London LOOP (largely) to River Thames opposite Belvedere and Erith, passing an ex MOD firing range and the Tilda Rice facility; downstream with the medieval marshes of Rainham, Wennington and Aveley to the left, later a large landfill site (a future Country Park), en route passing some 'Concrete Barges', abandoned landing craft used in the 1944 “D” Day Normandy landings. The excellent bird-watching opportunities culminate at the RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve (closes 16.00), with its café and shop.
A group split at the café into visitors/non-visitors to the Reserve is possible as leader is happy to shuttle lead to/from nearby Purfleet Station.
Refreshments: short lunch break at The Albion (Greene King) or The Phoenix (Craft Union) in Rainham. Plus Tea Stop at Café at the RSPB Reserve (closes 15.30) or the Royal Hotel in Purfleet.
Meet at Hornchurch Station - exit hall at top of stairs - at 10.45.
Travel: District Line to Hornchurch (Zone 6 -Upminster train) - about 40 minutes from Tower Hill.
Finish: Purfleet Station ‐ on the Grays branch of the Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness line ‐ 1 stop beyond Rainham (Zone 6 boundary). Trains to Fenchurch Street, calling at Barking and West Ham (some trains stop at Limehouse for DLR).
Ticket/Fare: Freedom Pass or Zones1-6 ticket plus single Purfleet to Rainham.
Leader: Thomas G (07775 676 092).
**Please register to let us know you plan to come - and to be notified of last minute cancellation/transport changes etc.
Registration - via Eventbrite only - opens Thurs 11 Jan at 09.00 and closes Tues 16 Jan at 18.30.
Eventbrite registration - use web link below.
Walk re‐scheduled from 10 January due to tube strikes.
Hornchurch Underground Station (Zone 6, District line)
Purfleet Railway Station
